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Today, Safer Internet Day, the National Advisory Council for Online Safety published its first progress report.
The Council was established in September 2018 as part of the Government’s Action Plan for Online Safety and brings together online safety experts from across academia, NGOs, industry and Government.
The terms of reference and resulting work programme of the Council are designed to make the most of the experience and knowledge of its members. They include providing advice to Government on online safety issues, identifying emerging online safety issues where the Government may need to take action, inputting into the development of a wide range of online safety guidance materials, and reviewing national and international research.
Speaking today, Minister of State Seán Canney, chairperson of the Council, stated: “Online Safety is a priority for this Government and the National Advisory Council for Online Safety has a key role to play in making the online world a safer place for our citizens, especially our most vulnerable. While the work of the Council is in early stages, good progress has been made and I look forward to working with our members over the coming months to deliver on our work programme.”
ENDS
Background
The recent establishment of the National Advisory Council for Online Safety is provided for by Action 20 of the Government's Action Plan for Online Safety 2018-2019, which represents a whole of Government approach to online safety. In addition to the Council’s report, the Sponsors Group for the Action Plan, chaired by the Department of Education and Skills, will today publish the 2018 report on the implementation of the actions contained in the Action Plan by Government.
The Council, initially chaired by Minister of State Seán Kyne and now chaired by Minister of State Seán Canney, is a multi-stakeholder forum with a broad membership drawn from key stakeholder groups, including NGOs and industry. The Secretariat for the Council is provided by the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment.
The Council and its various subgroups have held a number of meetings since its establishment, the minutes and notes of which are available on the website of the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment.

Download the National Advisory Council for Online Safety Progress Report 2019 here.